The Takedown

by Ricky Black

  Lamont cleared his throat. ‘If it’s an issue of money—’

  ‘It’s not.’

  ‘I’m just saying, I can help. Martin would even back the investment so we could do it properly. I could just give it to you, even. I mean—’

  ‘Lamont, I said no!’

  Lamont stared for a moment, then nodded and picked up his fork.

  ‘I’m sorry, L. I didn’t mean to shout. It’s been a long day. I had a session with Amanda this morning before work.’

  Lamont reached out and squeezed Jenny’s hand, his rosewood eyes full of concern.

  ‘How was it?’

  ‘Emotional. She has a knack of getting me to speak about things. She had the idea that maybe you could come for a session with me, and we could—’

  ‘Thank you, but I’ll pass.’ Lamont cut her off. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and headed to his study. Jenny had tried so many times to get him to go to counselling, but Lamont had no intention of telling a stranger his problems. Pouring a tall glass of brandy, he resolved to grow stronger on his own, determined to be the person he used to be.

  Nikkolo was all smiles as he sauntered into the spacious house on Potternewton Lane. Locking the door, he made his way into what was formerly the living room. Other than two leather chairs, it was devoid of furniture. The walls were grey, the flickering lightbulb giving the room a horror vibe.

  Nikkolo bounced into the only available chair and cleared his throat.

  ‘I spoke to Ronnie. He wants to borrow twenty bags. He’s aware of the rates and said he can pay back within two weeks,’ Nikkolo reached into his jacket pocket and handed a watch to the other person in the room. ‘He gave me that as collateral.’

  Lennox Thompson took the Rolex without a word, examining it for a moment before handing it back.

  ‘What’s going on with the other situation?’

  Nikkolo scratched the back of his neck. He’d run Lennox’s crew for years, yet the man still made him uneasy.

  Lennox was wiry, with a thin face and fathomless dark eyes that stared holes through whoever was in the vicinity. He had a quiet presence that radiated malevolent force. It was a lot to take in and didn’t grow any easier.

  ‘Our people are saying Delroy has lost his heart. Ever since Teflon humbled him, he’s lost a lot of respect. You know my view; we should strap up and take him out. We can get someone to run the drug thing for us and make more money.’

  ‘We don’t sell drugs, or did you forget that fact? You wanna be a dealer, go work for someone else.’

  Nikkolo hung his head, abashed. Lennox paid him no attention.

  ‘There are easier ways to destroy a person than charging in and trying to kill them. Delroy is soft. The people he keeps around are softer. Their only goal is to keep making money. Teflon and the other gangs are more of a threat.’

  Nikkolo clapped his hands together. ‘That reminds me. Did you know Shorty is out?’

  ‘So?’

  ‘I’m just saying. They must have been celebrating the other night. I ran into Teflon.’

  Lennox looked up now, his hawk-like expression stilling Nikkolo.

  ‘What do you mean you ran into him?’

  ‘I just saw him at the club and I said hello.’

  ‘What else did you say?’

  ‘Nothing. I didn’t even mention you or anything.’

  ‘Tell me exactly what was said.’

  ‘I said hello, he said hello, and then I mentioned that he’d lost a few customers. After that, I kept it moving.’

  Lennox’s expression remained unchanged, but Nikkolo felt the tension spike in the room. Lennox held his stare for over a minute before he spoke.

  ‘Why did you mention Teflon losing customers? Did you not think that information wouldn’t be public?’

  ‘I d-didn’t think—’

  ‘You’re right. Get out of my sight. I’ll deal with you tomorrow.’

  Nikkolo clambered to his feet and hurried from the room, a bead of sweat dripping from his forehead. As he unlocked the door with shaking hands, he noticed his knees were knocking together.

  Chapter Four

  Saturday 17 January 2015

  When Lamont made his way to the kitchen the next morning, Jenny had already left. Lamont ate the breakfast she’d prepared, thinking about their discussion the night before.

  Lamont couldn’t fathom needing a counsellor. He appreciated Jenny’s situation, but he was in a different predicament. It was hard enough to even comprehend Jenny spilling his secrets and telling some stranger about his life, but he held those thoughts at bay. He trusted Jenny, even if he was lying about his intentions.

  Lamont made a cup of coffee, switching his business brain on. He had meetings today, and the aim was simple; he would get the crew back in line and remind people why they respected the name Teflon.

  K-Bar rolled out of bed, away from the warm body laying there. He padded to the shower, quickly washing and dressing. Returning to the bedroom, he was spraying aftershave when his phone vibrated. K-Bar was tempted for a moment to ignore it, but he couldn’t.

  ‘Yeah?’ He put the phone on loudspeaker.

  ‘Take me off speaker. I can tell,’ Akeem’s voice boomed on the other end. K-Bar laughed and did as ordered.

  ‘What can I help you with?’

  ‘Meeting spot. We’re avoiding the usual place. Meet us at Number Three.’

  ‘I’ll see you there.’ K-Bar dropped the phone on the bed.

  ‘You’re up early.’

  K-Bar turned at the sound of the voice. The woman sat up; the sheet slipping and allowing him to stare at her breasts, which he did until she scowled.

  ‘Early bird gets that worm, babe.’

  ‘Was that your baby mother on the phone? That was you didn’t want her on speaker?’

  K-Bar frowned. ‘Are you silly? Couldn’t you hear the dude’s voice on the phone at the beginning?’

  ‘Whatever. Who was it then?’

  ‘You’re damn nosey. It was your bro, okay? We’re meeting.’

  Marika didn’t reply, her brow furrowed. K-Bar wondered if the pair would ever make up. As long as he’d known Lamont, he’d always gone all out for his sister. The traitor Marrion from Manchester had ruined that though, poisoning Marika’s mind and turning her against her brother.

  He remembered the dark days after Lamont’s shooting. K-Bar had survived on caffeine and adrenaline, tracking down anyone who had anything to do with Marrion. Marika had called in hysterics, screaming about Lamont murdering Marrion outside her house. She said she’d already called the police, but was shocked when she learned of Lamont’s shooting.

  Marika had visited Lamont in hospital after the shooting, but only when he was unconscious. K-Bar supported her, giving her money and making sure she and the kids were okay.

  The first time they had slept together came a month later. They’d both been drinking away their anguish and ended up in bed. After avoiding one another out of awkwardness, they began having sex regularly.

  They couldn’t define what it was between them, but it felt right. K-Bar had considered telling Lamont, but he didn’t know how his boss would take it.

  K-Bar wondered what Lamont wanted. They had spoken the day before, and he knew Lamont had been locked in meetings with Akeem, but he wasn’t privy to the inner workings, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to be.

  K-Bar had been thrust into leadership after Lamont’s shooting. The crew had been leaderless and when Shorty’s arrest came to light, people began positioning themselves to make a move against the crew.

  K-Bar had taken the reins, meeting with Saj to ensure the supply was consistent, then letting people know the crew was still strong. He had tried to deal with all the politics and drama the best way he could, but K-Bar wasn’t Lamont. He didn’t think the same way; he had street smarts, could hustle, survive, plan and execute murders, but he wasn’t the analyst Lamont was.

  This led to him getting the short end of a few deals and e
ven losing his temper with people. One wannabe gangster ended up in hospital with a bullet in his leg after pissing off K-Bar. He’d had to pay and threaten the man into silence, but it was worth it.

  Lamont was back now, and as much as K-Bar would miss the money he’d made, walking in Lamont’s shoes wasn’t worth it. It was too difficult.

  ‘Nadia, how are we getting on with completing that order?’

  ‘It’s finished, Jen. The husband is picking it up this afternoon. His payment processed.’

  Satisfied, Jenny deeply exhaled. Sipping her cold coffee, Jenny brushed her hair from her eyes, trying to focus on the ponderous report in front of her. She heard the shop door open, but didn’t think much of it until she heard Nadia laughing. Smoothing her hair, Jenny headed to investigate.

  Nadia was by a selection of hand-made vases, her shoulders shaking as she giggled. There was a man next to her, but Jenny couldn’t tell who it was. Nadia shifted to the right, and then Jenny recognised him.

  ‘Shorty?’

  Shorty grinned at Jenny, but it didn’t extend to his eyes.

  ‘Hey, Jen. Your lovely worker here was just showing me around.’

  ‘That’s fine. Is everything okay though?’ Jenny hadn’t known Shorty knew where her shop was. Shorty hesitated. Nadia noticed and smiled at Jenny before excusing herself to the back.

  ‘Did L say anything about Grace?’

  Jenny had to think for a moment, remembering that Grace was Shorty’s daughter. She recalled Lamont saying something about him having a son too, but that he didn’t see him much.

  ‘No, he didn’t. Me and L haven’t really spoken, to be honest,’ Jenny admitted. She noticed Shorty sizing her up, likely wondering what the issue was. ‘What’s up with Grace?’

  Shorty shook his head. ‘She didn’t want to see me when we went over there. She ran out of the room.’

  Jenny saw the pain in Shorty’s eyes and her heart went out to him. She’d never given children much thought, but it was obvious that Shorty’s girl had hurt him.

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

  ‘I can’t blame her. I was away, and she had to hear all kinds of rubbish about me. She’s probably confused. Anyway, I wanted to buy her some flowers to leave with her mum.’

  Jenny smiled. ‘That’s a great idea. Do you have any arrangement in mind?’

  ‘I was hoping you’d handle that for me; I just want summat colourful.’

  When Jenny had prepared the flowers and given Shorty his change, the pair awkwardly stood.

  ‘How come you and L haven’t been talking?’

  Jenny opened her mouth but Shorty spoke again.

  ‘I’m not trying to intrude. Summat’s not right with L, and I can’t put my finger on it.’

  Jenny took a deep breath.

  ‘Honestly, I don’t know,’ she glanced at Shorty, and then the words tumbled from her mouth. ‘He’s not all there. Hasn’t been in months. First, it was the shooting, and then he nearly killed himself trying to get better because he didn’t want to look weak in front of me. He kept straining himself and his personal trainer tried to speak to him and get him to slow down, but Lamont sacked him. He didn’t want to hear what the man was saying.

  ‘I tried getting him to speak to a professional, but he won’t. He just broods, drinks, and tries to be strong. I don’t need him to be strong though. I need him to be the man I fell in love with.’

  There was a long silence when Jenny finished talking, her face red with exertion. Shorty wiped his face, placing the bouquet on the counter.

  ‘L’s that kinda guy. Even when we were young, he never enjoyed looking weak. None of us did. L took it to another level though; he didn’t want people to see him angry, or sad, or anything. It was mad when you look back at it, but it made him who he is. It’s difficult to shake that, even when you love someone.’

  Jenny’s mouth was agape when Shorty finished. She’d only ever viewed him as a thug and was surprised he could be so eloquent. He’d hit the nail on the head regarding Lamont. He viewed the controlling of his emotions as the ultimate tool.

  Jenny felt herself smiling, musing that Shorty of all people was helping her with her thoughts.

  ‘What do I do then?’

  Shorty shrugged.

  ‘I know fuck all about relationships. I guess you just need to remember how to talk to him. L’s not gonna like being given advice. He likes to be the one to tell other people what they should do. You two have summat though; we all saw it back in the day, and I saw it the other night. Things are just different. It’s a different world for everyone, and I think we forget that.’

  Jenny wrapped her arms around Shorty. She felt him stiffen, before he returned the hug and quickly let her go.

  ‘Thank you for listening, Shorty, I really appreciate it.’

  Lamont and Akeem approached the takeaway restaurant on Roundhay Road, parking on the side of the road and walking straight to the back. On the way, they had seen no less than three police cars — one an undercover vehicle, driving around Chapeltown. Lamont felt their world shrinking. The police had an agenda and he couldn’t predict how it would turn out.

  As Akeem drove by them, Lamont considered bowing out for good, only to be reminded of Akhan, and his ultimatum.

  ‘I need you to do something for me,’ Lamont said as they settled into the office space. The smell of fried food was overpowering, but they wouldn’t be long.

  ‘What is it?’ Akeem asked.

  ‘Find out everything about Akhan and his team. I don’t care what it costs. Just be discreet.’

  ‘Consider it done.’

  Shorty felt uplifted after speaking with Jenny. She had been right, he realised. He just needed to give things time with Grace, get her used to being around him. It wouldn’t be achieved overnight, but it was achievable, and he had a smile on his face at the thought.

  Shorty was ready to leave the past behind. Men had tried to kill him. Shorty put them down and paid a massive price. It could have been worse, but he needed to make the most of the situation.

  After leaving Jenny’s, Shorty showered, changed his clothes, then drove to Amy’s. Parking up, he clutched the bouquet and a card he’d written, and walked towards the door. He knocked lightly and when he didn’t receive a reply, he left them on the doorstep and headed down the drive.

  ‘Shorty?’

  Amy stood in the doorway, wrinkling her nose in confusion as she picked up the card and flowers, sniffing them on instinct.

  ‘I didn’t think you were in.’

  ‘I was in the kitchen washing up; I needed to dry my hands. Why are you here?’

  ‘I just wanted to ask you to give those to Grace,’ Shorty’s tone was polite, his hands jammed into his pockets as Amy scrutinised him.

  ‘Grace isn’t here. She’s staying at a friend’s house.’

  Shorty nodded. ‘It’s cool. I shouldn’t have just turned up. I just wanted her to get the flowers. I’ll talk to you later.’ He turned to walk to his car.

  ‘Do you want a drink?’

  Shorty sat in the kitchen, holding a steaming mug of tea and watching Amy fuss around, moving plates and cutlery.

  ‘I’m sorry for turning up like I did the other day.’

  Amy didn’t speak.

  ‘I wanted to see Grace so bad that I didn’t stop to consider it might hurt her. I just thought she’d jump into my arms and everything would be okay.’

  Amy took a moment before she spoke.

  ‘Grace was terrified when it all happened. She asked about you for days, and I didn’t know what to tell her. We tried to keep the police away from her; my mum had her, Diana had her. We didn’t want her exposed to any of it.

  ‘And then you handed yourself in, and it was in the paper. We told Grace you’d gone away, and she cried. We couldn’t console her. The last thing we wanted was for her to know you’d been locked up. She’s smart though. She saw the paper, or someone showed it to her. After that, she stopped asking about you.�
��

  Shorty hung his head, his heart aching at the thought he’d caused his daughter so much pain. He didn’t regret the killings. They were necessary, and the people he’d put down had come to murder him. They hadn’t shown him any mercy, and he’d paid the three of them back.

  ‘Give it time, Shorty. Grace will want to see you again, she’s just confused.’

  Shorty smiled, remembering Jenny saying something similar.

  ‘I will.’

  Amy blew out a breath.

  ‘I still think about that whole situation sometimes.’

  ‘Which?’

  ‘That summer. Everything that happened; Marcus, you, Lamont . . . I still can’t believe someone tried to kill him. Even Timmy,’ Amy rested her hand on Shorty’s shoulder for a moment. ‘I’m really sorry about your cousin. I can’t even imagine what things were like then. I don’t know anything about what you were doing, and I don’t want to. Timmy was your family though, and I know you loved him.’

  Shorty could have told Amy why Timmy was shot, but he didn’t. It wasn’t worth it.

  ‘You’re right; that summer was a complete mess, and I think people are still coming to terms with it. I’m still glad I clocked your boyfriend with the gun though. He caused me a lot of shit.’

  ‘He’s not my boyfriend,’ Amy stared into her mug. ‘Chris and I ended things shortly after you were remanded.’

  Shorty hid a smile. He’d never liked Chris, even before Amy began a relationship with the man. He’d called the police when Shorty had tried saying goodbye to Grace. Shorty didn’t know the ins and outs, but he knew threats were made to Chris to force him to change his story. Chris eventually stated he never saw Shorty with a gun and refused to press charges.

  ‘Are you seeing anyone else?’ Shorty heard himself ask. Amy again paused.

  ‘I’m dating, if that’s what you’re asking. Nothing serious, nor is it anything I want to expose Grace to.’

  Shorty nodded, swallowing down the lump in his throat. He and Amy hadn’t been a thing for years, but the thought of her being with anyone else still jarred him. He understood though, at the same time. Too much had happened between them for anything to blossom, and where that fact would have made him angry two years ago, now Shorty focused instead on the bigger picture; earning back the love of his baby girl.